
Sari Juan 
Baytista, 



California 









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SAN JUAN VALLEY 



SAN KENITO COUNTY 



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0)3.(1 Juan Va-\U_j 

I]MUROYE]VIENT CLUB 



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LOCATION 

The place of which this booklet is written is locat- 
ed in a southerly direction, about 90 miles from 
San Francisco. The San Juan valley is at once one 
of the most fertile, healthful and beautiful places in 
the State of California. The town now called San 
Juan Bautista (St. John the Baptist) is one of the 
oldest settlements on the western coast, it having 
been founded with the establishment of the Mission 
of the same name in 1797. Taken together they 
constitute the garden spot of San Benito County. 

This district is easily reached from any part of 
the State, the coast line of the Southern Pacific 
Railroad crossing the northern end of the San Juan 
valley. Two trains daily from San Francisco and 
two from the south stop at Sargents, the station for 
San Juan Bautista. Busses meet all trains. 

The return trip from San Juan Bautista to San 
Francisco can be made in one day, allowing three to 
five hours in San Francisco. 

CLIMATE 

The entire State of California offers climatic ad- 
vantages over the eastern and middle western por- 
tions of the United States, and this particular por- 
tion of California possesses advantages which are 
not present throughout all the State. 

Protected on the north, west, and south by 
mountains, the valley is free from disagreeable 



winds and fogs, and being only 15 miles from Mon- 
terey Bay, obtains in full measure the cool ocean 
breeze from that famous liarbor. 

We quule from the State Horticultural Society's 
report, which says: "San Benito County, situated 
midway between the San Joaquin valley and the 
coast, has a climate tempered by both, avoiding the 
extreme heat of the former and the chilling winds 
of the latter; it is separated from the coast by the 
Gabilan Range, but is yet near enough to the coast 
to feel its tempering influence. Fogs are not of 
frequent occurrence, but during the summer sea- 
son the ocean breeze finds its way through a moun- 
tain gap, rendering the climate very healthful and 
l)leasant. 

The health of the neighborhood is at once appar- 
ent to the \isitor. 



SOIL 

The soil of the valley is a rich alluvium or sedi- 
ment. It is of great depth and suitable for a great 
variety of products. The lower foothills are ad- 
mirably adapted to the raising of grain and hay, 
while at a greater elevation the hillsides can be 
planted to orchard and vinevard, which thrive splen- 
didly. 



AGRICULTURE 

An item of impurtancc to l)c noted in this vicinit}' 
is the rapid ehange whieli is Ix'ing made in the vari- 
ety of products. Where for many years grain and 
hay were raised, now will be found seed farms of 
many varieties, sweet peas, mustard, onions and ca- 
nary seed being some of the principal ones that we 
may mention. Sugar beets, which are raised under 
contract and shipped to the sugar factory at Salinas, 
form a considerable crop and are very profitable, 
Chili peppers are being raised with some success, 
and truck and vegetable gardens in this neighbor- 
hood have established for themselves a good name, 
and for their products a great demand, by reason of 
their excellence. Garlic, corn, broom corn, beans, 
potatoes, cauliflower, celery and cabbage are some 
of the most important vegetables grown. 

It is impossible to give in full the variety of prod- 
ucts which can be grown with profit, and each year 
sees further development in special crops. 

Where the land is sown to grain good yields are 
usual. This is especially true of barley, and the hay 
from this vicinity commands high prices wherever 
marketed, being in demand in the east, where it 
is much desired for its quality. 



HORTICULTURE 

^Vhc hillsides generally are well adapted to fruit, 
and the fruit grown is conceded by competent 
judges to be superior to that raised elsewhere 
throughout the State on account of its flavor and 
keeping qualities. The varieties grown include 
apricots, peaches, prunes, apples, pears, and many 
others, while almonds and walnuts are also grown 
successfully. 



VINES 

The vineyards already established have convinced 
that much might be made of this source of revenue, 
and we anticipate that the near future will see a big 
increase in this direction of profitabk industry. 
About nine miles from San Juan Bautista is located 
one of the finest vineyards in the State, which is 
famous for the quality of its wines, and in proof of 
its standing the acreage is shortly to be doubled. 



DAIRYING 

Of dairying- in this section we would say that it is 
to become one of the chief industries, if not the chief 
industry of this valley. Much of the land is splen- 
didly adapted to the raising of alfalfa, and with sev- 
eral crops a year, a plentiful supply of water easily 
put on the land, the products, cream, butter, cheese, 
etc., all commanding good prices, all count in favor 
of the dairy farm. A creamery in San Juan Bautista 
produces butter which commands top prices where 
sold. 



IRRIGATION 

A few words on irrigation will not be inappropri- 
ate here. The valley has an abundance of artesian 
water, which can be used for irrigation purposes, 
while where pumping is resorted to as a means of 
increasing the supply the results are very apparent. 
An abundant flow of water can usually be procured 
at a depth of from 90 to 110 feet. There are already 
many pumping plants in the valley, and new ones 
are being installed from time to time. While call- 
ing attention to the facilities for irrigating, we must 
not omit to mention it is not necessary that it be 
resorted to to insure crops, as an absolute drought 
is unknown in this district. 



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STOCK 

'llic locality is eniincnlly suitable for stock rais- 
iiiiLi", ^i^ the winters are not so C(3ld that the stock 
have to l)e sheltered and the importation of thor- 
oughbred stock by enterprising owners keeps up 
the high standard of the cattle raised in the vicinity. 

Some famous cattle ranges are located v^ithin the 
confines of our county. Sheep are raised with great 
success in certain localities in the hills, and not a 
few hog ranches are located in the district. 



POULTRY 

Much of the wealth of this vicinity is represented 
in the poultry business, which offers advantages 
over other industries, requiring, as it does, only a 
portion of a person's time and only a small capital. 
The advantage of climate, also, is especially great, 
the weather permitting poultry to be out of doors 
every day in the year. The products of a poultry 
farm are always in demand, and command good 
])rices, and the facilities for shipping and disposing 
of the products are very good. 

The raising of turkeys and squabs, as well as 
ducks and geese, in suitable sections of the vicinity, 
though at present receiving but little attention, 
would repay very profitably if extended. 




AFTER THE ROUND-UP. 




BERRIES 

riuTc is a i^rowiiii;- londoncy to cnlliNatc small 
iracls, and the raisin^' of berries of iiian\' kinds is 
found to repay very fully for eapilal invested and 
labor expended. Logan and mammoth blackberries, 
etc., are good bearers, and the strawberries grown 
in this neighborhood are famous throughout this 
part of the State and recommended for their excel- 
lent flavor. 

BEES 

A considerable area of the higher hills offers a 
field to the further introduction of bees, the variety 
of shrubs affording the best of honey-making ma- 
terial. The persons at present engaged in this 
industry find ready sale for honey, and good prices 
are obtained. 

MINERALS 

Within the county of San Benito are located the 
famous New Idria quicksilver mines, and the Cien- 
ega lime kilns and ledges of copper have been locat- 
ed in the range of mountains on the east. 

Large bodies of limestone have been uncovered 
about one mile from San Juan Bautista, and bodies 
of cement shale, fire and pottery clay have also been 
discovered within short distances. In the country 
adjacent oil wells are being operated with success, 
and mineral springs of iron, sulphur, magnesia and 
soda waters are within easy reach. 




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SNAPSHOT OF A CHICKEN RANCH. 




BABY CHICKS. 



ATTRACTIONS 

The scenic attractions arc nnrixalcd. A Irii) to 
I^'rcniont's Peak, from vvliich place a panoramic view 
is obtained of ocean, mountains, rivers, towns and 
country, will linger in the memory, and is difficult to 
equal. The ride through the San Juan canyon and 
the Gabilan range is very attractive. Drives in all 
directions can be taken over good roads, and the 
beauty of the scenery becomes more apparent as the 
excursions into the country are continued. The or- 
chards and seed farms in their seasons of bloom give 
color to the scene and add their perfume to the air. 

At the southern end of the county are located the 
Pinnacles, a mass of rocks which cover some six 
scjuare miles. The name Pinnacles has been given 
to these massive rocks because of the numerous 
spires, columns and towers scattered over almost 
the entire area. They are broken through by small 
water-courses, and the gorges are partly filled with 
boulders which form caves and bridges, by which 
one can traverse the length of the gorges. These 
gorges are worth going miles to see ; added to this 
the immense rocks of every conceivable size and 
shape, they form a beautiful, unique and interesting 
place which has no known counterpart. This place 
is some 43 miles from San Juan Bautista, and the 
whole journey can be made by wagon and team. 




CORRIDOR OF THli MISSION. 



The town of San Juan Bautista is one of the old- 
est incorporated towns in the State, receiving its 
original charter in 1854. It possesses a Public Li- 
brary containing about 4,000 volumes. There are 
two churches, the Mission herein described, which 
is of the Roman Catholic denomination, and the 
Congregational Church. Both enjoy liberal sup- 
port. An excellent public school is in the town, 
and in the township outside the town are located 
four other schools. The County High School, which 
is duly accredited to the State University at Berke- 
ley and the Stanford University at Palo Alto, is 
located at Hollister, the county seat of San Benito 
County, eight miles distant. The streets are lighted 
l)y acetylene gas, the plant being owned and oper- 
ated by the town. Located here is the St. Johns In- 
stitute, an orphanage containing 75 inmates, and 
conducted by the Sisters of Charity. The buildings 
are replete with modern conveniences and occupy 
land adjacent to the Mission. Mail facilities are 
very good. Three mails arrive daily from each 
direction, north and south, and telephonic communi- 
cation can be made direct with San Francisco, Los 
Angeles and other principal towns of the State. 

For the convenience of the residents in the valley 
a Rural Free Delivery system has been established, 
and a Farmers' Telephone Line connects the major- 
ity of the ranches with the town. Fraternal orders 
are well represented in the town and county, and 




THE HISTORIC ALAMKDA. 




HEADQUARTERS ol i,i:M.RA1. l AS rKO_ i )L KlNi, All.XlCAN V'lAK 



sources of enjoyment are presented in the social lif^: 
of the neighborhood which meet the ideas of all. 

It is to be noted that the early settlements estab- 
lished by the Padres are located in positions which 
are very healthful and fertile. When we add to this 
the charming scenery which surrounds San Juan 
Bautista, and the many advantages already enumer- 
ated, we have a locality which is eminently suitable 
for settlement. 

Flowers of all varieties grow with the utmost pro- 
fusion. Roses can be gathered at Christmas, 
the carnation, pansy, hyacinth and many others be- 
ing also in evidence in the winter, and the wealth of 
blossom is steadily increased as the year pro- 
gresses. 

The pepper, maple, elm, poplar, locust, umbrella, 
eucalyptus and many other trees line the streets and 
surround the ranch houses in the vicinity, forming 
cool and pleasant shade and adding much to the 
general charm. 

Game in plenty abounds. In due season quail and 
rabbit can be found in their accustomed haunts, and 
ducks are frequent visitors to the lakes in the vicin- 
itv, where, and in the streams, the elusive fish await 
the patient angler. At the southern end of the 
countv deer are also to be found in some num1)ers. 




SWARM OF BEES. 



HISTORICAL 

It is said of this place, and with tnilli, llial it lias 
histoi-N- ill its midst. 11ic Mission San J nan T.an- 
tista, which was founded by the Franciscan Padres 
in 1797, is well worth a visit. It is constructed of 
sun-dried brick (adobe) and covered with a red tile 
roof, and stands today as well-preserved as the best 
of the examples of the work of these men. It con- 
tains many relics of great interest, the walls are 
hung with old oil paintings, and the candlesticks 
used on the altar are the same which were brought 
from Spain at the time of the founding of the IVIis- 
sion. These are only a few of the many interesting 
features this building presents. The Mission, with 
its long corridor of arches, occupies one side of the 
Plaza, the scene of many a gay fiesta, and facing the 
corridor on another side of the Plaza is still to be 
seen the house built like the mission, of adobe and 
with a red tile roof, occupied by General Castro dur- 
ing the Mexican War. It was in San Juan Bautista 
that a detachment from the squadron at Monterey 
met Captain Fremont (Pathfinder) in July, 184(;. 
We cull the following from the 'T)espatches of 
Commodore Sloat," in the "Life of Rear Admiral 
Sloat," page 83. 

"On the 17th (July, 1846) Mr. Fauntleroy was di- 
''rected to reconnoiter the country as far as the Mis- 
''sion San Juan (St. Johns), take possession of that 
"place, hoist the flag, and to recover 10 brass guns, 



"said to have been buried there by General Castro 
" when he retreated from that phice ; on his ar- 
"rival there Mr. Fauntleroy found that the place 
"had been taken possession of an hour or two previ- 
"ous by Captain Fremont, with whom he returned 
"to Monterey on the 19th. He was subsequently 
"sent back to garrison the place, dig up, mount the 
''guns, and recover a large quantity of powder and 
"shot said to have been secreted there, all of which 
"he accomplished before I sailed." 

It was here that the Mexican AVar commenced. 
General Castro, who had his headquarters and a Pre- 
sidio here, gathered together his troops and opened 
hostilities by ordering Fremont and his scientific ex- 
pedition to leave the vicinity. This occurred on 
March 2, 1846, several days before the American 
Army started from Point Isabel for the Rio Grande. 
A few miles to the south of the town, and easily 
reached by wagon road is Fremont's Peak, where 
the expedition under Fremont camped, and in- 
trenched themselves when menaced by General Cas- 
tro, and from which place Fremont overlooked the 
town of San Juan Bautista, and could also see the 
Bay of Monterey, where Commodore Sloat arrived 
on July 2, 1846. 

The American flag was first raised in California 
on Fremont's Peak on March 4, 1846. 




■ KAM.VIAR SCHOOL. 



Hollister, the county seat of San Benito County, 
is an improved town with a population of about 
3,000. It has water-works, sewer system, electric 
light and gasworks, and cement sidewalks and grad- 
ed streets. 

The County Court House is located here. It is a 
beautiful building, costing $50,000, and the town has 
also a fine grammar school. 

Aromas, a village hitherto receiving little atten- 
tion from the press, is worthy of mention. Situated 
in a small but very beautiful and fertile valley, it 
lies about 9 miles west from San Juan Bautista. Ap- 
ples are grown with great success, and berries are 
also a money-making investment. The village has 
a pretty church and schoolhouse, and located here 
are several fruit packing houses. The railroad fa- 
cilities are good, the Southern Pacific Railroad run- 
ning through the valley. 

Space precludes mentioning at length other dis- 
tricts adjacent to San Jtian Bautista, but San Felipe, 
a dairying section, and Tres Pinos, well known for 
the quality of its grain and hay, must not be over- 
looked. 



A Sug'gestion--When you visit California, why not make 
San Juan Bautista your headquarters, and while look- 
ing for a place to settle, see this interesting vicinity? 



Further Information can be obtained from 

Sec'y, of til e San Juao Vallej Improveinent Clu 
Box 50, San Juan Bautista, California, 



Photos by AMES, San Juan Bautista. 

SAN JUAN VALLEY ECHO PRINT. 

























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